GetBackpacking! on the Uwharrie Trail

Note: This trip originally was planned for the Neusiok Trail in the coastal Croatan National Forest. That trail was closed by recent hurricanes and likely will remain closed through year's end. We hope to reschedule that hike for mid-Winter. Instead, we will hike a 15-mile stretch of the Uwharrie Trail in the Uwharrie National Forest southwest of Asheboro.

You can get in a last backpack trip of the year in December, provided it's to a spot that's not likely to get a head start on winter. The Uwharrie Trail is just such a spot. We will do a 15-mile run of the 40-mile Uwharrie, from NC 109 north to Pisgah Covered Bridge Road. The trip includes both the high spot on the Uwharrie Trail, 1,015-foot King Mountain, and the one spot where you'll find great mountain-top views, Little Long Mountain, where we will camp Saturday night.

The plan:

Day 1 (2 miles)
3:30 p.m. — Arrive at Pisgah Covered Bridge Trailhead; shuttle to NC 109 Trailhead
4 p.m. — Get on trail
4:45 - 5 p.m. — Arrive at Spencer Creek primitive campground, a 2-mile hike in.

Day 2 (9 miles)
9:30 a.m. — Get on the trail
12:30 a.m. — Lunch, Jumping Off Rock Trailhead (6 miles)
3 - 3:30 p.m. — Arrive at Little Long Mountain camping area and shelter.

Day 3 (4 miles0
9:30 a.m. — Get on Trail
Noon — Arrive at Pisgah Covered Bridge Road Trailhead, end of hike.

This trip includes an eguide , with custom map of the hike, tips on cold weather camping, but not too cold: the typical overnight low this time of year is in the low 40s, daytime high in the low 60s; and information about the forest and the area.

Fee for this trip is $65.